Thursday, September 29, 2011

Before I get to the point of this post, I want to say, "No Wonder!" No wonder I've been confused while looking online for descriptions and the botanical names of the asters I have!! According to my new October 2011 Garden Gate magazine (my most favorite magazine in the world!!), the genus Aster is being split into different genera. Here are the new names: Symphyotrichum, lonactis, Eurybia, Seriocarpus, Doellingeria, Ampelaster, Oclemena.

How in the world does one discriminate the different types?? Oh, well . . .

I've admired asters for a few years, but hadn't tried growing any until I purchased 'Alert' a couple of years ago. What a beauty!!Last year, I purchased 'Wood's Blue,' and a white variety that I shared with my Aunt MEA. This year, she shared a portion with me. Wish I remembered the name . . . :-)

The following photos were taken last night in the golden light of the sunset.

Aster 'Alert'

Aster ‘Woods Blue’

And, for now, "Unnamed."

If I had more space, I'd add a few more asters. They truly are pretty, and they are butterfly magnets. They really like full sun (though they'll tolerate 6 hours of sun with some shade),

'Alert' is the tallest, so far. It reaches at least 18" or so in height. 'Wood's Blue' is a compact little plant. It is only about 12" or so in height. The "White" has only recent joined the gardens here. It is not more than 18" tall this year.

I've noticed 'Alert' can get tall (18-20") and somewhat spindly. Garden Gate has just enlightened me with regard to this problem! I can stake the plant early in the season by placing upright branches around and over the plant. It will grow through these branches and stay upright, OR you might want to keep the plants compact by cutting them back in early summer. To cut them back, wait until the plants are about 12" tall and cut them back to 6" in height. If, in a month's time, you feel they are still too tall, you can cut them back again by a quarter. Co not cut-back later than mid-July, as that's when the plants begin setting buds.

If, after a few years, your aster has fewer flowers (and perhaps the center has died), you will need to divide the plant. (It's suggested every two or three years.) The most successful season for dividing seems to be Spring. The clump may even fall apart as you lift it out of the hole. The size of the pieces doesn't matter as long as each root has green growth on the top. Plant each section at the same level they were growing previously. (Or pot them and share them with friends!)

One more piece of information . . . I'm led to understand that one can grow asters easily from seed.

Sow Aster seeds early in the season, and cover lightly with soil. Water thoroughly once. They germinate easily and will grow quickly, producing their first of a continual display of blooms by mid-summer.

Aster does not do well in wet soils. They do, however, like moist soil. Once established, they will withstand dry periods, needing water during extended droughts. (A good thing, as these flowers are blooming nicely and WE'VE had Drought conditions this summer!)

'Walker's Low' nepata (catmint) at left/foreground
with sedum and asclepias (Butterfly Milkweed) directly behind,
the asters at right and 'Matrona' sedum in front of the daylilies.

All we had to do was to dig the holes, water, plant and re-water again (and again!).

A little help from our friends is always a good idea!

'City of Lyon' and 'Ernest Markham' clematis will share a trellis. There's 'Husker Red' penstemon off J's right shoulder and iris at the front right.

Mulch! Bring it on!!!

and spread it out!!

Fun times - perhaps some of us should have been wearing aprons?

Gardening Version of American Gothic!

As we were having our photos taken, it began to sprinkle. We're still experiencing a gentle rain.

Thank you, Lord!!!

Monday morning I'll get a load of mulch. Monday afternoon a couple of friends will join me and we'll finish the garden plantings by adding 3 peonies, 6 'Stella d'Oro' daylilies and a few 'Bertram Anderson' lowgrowing stonecrop sedum.

Then we'll be ready for the concrete edging border and the 8'Lx 6'H fence panel in the back! There will be three sweet birdhouses mounted on the fence. (Wouldn't it be nice if the fence was in place next week, too?)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

This is called "Taming the Dirt Pile!" It was a Wonderful pile of soil, but it needed to be Tamed! :-)

Please click on the Above Photo to see the post on "Wha's Happening!" This is just the beginning, folks. This little garden bed area has been in the planning stages since early last Spring.

We've gone through Long-lasting, Rainy season all Spring, Cold - Wet June, HOT - DRY July and (so far) August. But there's a limit to how long we gardeners could wait!!

The idea for this bed was conceived during last Winter's Master Gardener class. I was able to take the reins (so to speak), by planning and organizing. It's coming together. Yesterday (Monday) was the First Big Step in tilling the dirt. Today a nice load of dry sheep manure was added. Measuring (and estimated cost) for very practical concrete edging was done, also.